Penampang: Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan celebrated the 25th anniversary of his installation as Huguan Siou, here, Friday, saying the occasion, besides honouring him, also stresses the need for the community to continue accepting the institution.

He said this was because the Huguan Siou (paramount leader) institution had encouraged the Kadazandusun people to be together, in keeping with the social fabric of society at large.

"It is in the trend of the social fabric of our societies to continue giving recognition to what we have and to ensure that our younger generation will benefit from sustaining whatever good which have been handed down by our ancestors to all of us for today and tomorrow," said Pairin, who is also Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) President.

"I know as Huguan Siou, I am representing a community in a very unenviable way?my hopes within the 25 years have somehow been achieved only up to a point.

"But, there is much to do and a long way to go and it is my hope that our love for one another and our community will continue to be expressed through our cooperation and understanding of each other."

He said at the occasion at the Hongkod Koisaan that the event more importantly was an expression of the continuation and acceptance of the institution of the Huguan Siou.

He said the Huguan Siou institution is symbolic of a system which the Kadazandusun community had developed and accepted from their ancestors right down to the present day.

"It's an honour and I am only happy that I am involved in the continuation of this traditional institution which signifies our symbolic unity within our community and I think that is a very important factor for us to go by, remember by and to continue with for the future," he said.

Pairin, who is also a Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Infrastructure Development Minister, said 25 years is a long time and wondered how he did it through all these years.

"If I have done anything good, I thank the Lord," he said, adding that he hoped the community would be proud of the celebration and look at it from a positive perspective.

Pairin also hoped that many of the events concerning the Kadazandusun community could be recorded by writers like Tan Sri Herman Luping.

"Because obviously we, especially the young generation will continue to look for references, reminders and guidance and inspiration and all this will only come to what we will bequest through books, pictures, videos and all types of references for our younger generations to refer to.

"This goes to our State and this goes to our country," he said and registered his gratitude to Penampang, Tuavon, for the decision to install him as Huguan Siou on July 1, 1984.

"The same goes to Kota Belud, Papar, Kudat, Tambunan and other places, which have given me the responsibility and support that I continue to be inspired, guided by all of you.

"And I hope for the rest of my life, I will be able to do something more for our community, together with you and the younger generation," he said.

Also on hand were KDCA Deputy Presidents Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili and Datuk Clarence Bongkos Malakun who is also the organising chairman as well as KDCA Supreme Council members.